Material treating and handling apparatus



June 2, 1936. J. D. FERRY MATERIAL TREATING AND HANDLING APPARATUS Original Filed July 16, 1952 s Sheets-Sheet '1 Jqne 2 1936. J. D. FERRY 24342-555 MATERIAL TREATING AND HANDLING APPARATUS Original Filed July 16, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,g J0$EPO a FERRY *5 June 2, 1936- J. D. FERRY MATERIAL TREATING AND HANDLING APPARATUS Original Filed July 16. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 JOSEPH D-FE/FRY Patented June 2, 1936 MATERIAL 'rnmrmo AND HANDLING APPARATUS Joseph D. Ferry, Harrisburg, Pa.

Original application July 18, 1932, Serial l lo.- 622,9'l6. Divided and this application August 14, 1933, Serial No. 685,134

25Claims. (cits-7i This invention relates to an apparatus for the handling and treatment of foodstufis such vas pretzels and the application is a division of my -co-pending application Serial Number 622,976;

; filed July 16, 1932. i

It has been found that an endless woven wire belt or conveyor is admirably adapted for use in conducting pretzels through a cooking bath and the invention forming the subject of this appli- J cation comprises, among other thin s, novel means by which such woven wire belt or conveyor is attached to cooperating driving elements in the form of endless chains or the like in a manner which positively avoids slipping of the wire belt is secured to the driving means such as the chains heretofore mentioned will be found to be easily applied and serviced; and at the same time such an arrangement allows the endless woven wir belt and the associated driving means to turn rather sharply and yet easily about the ends of the conveyor to allow of the advantageous transfer of the pretzel forms or the like from one conveyor to another.

In my prior Patent No. 1,760,979, there is ashowing of a pretzel handling and-preparing machine embodying upper and lower spaced conveyors between which the pretzel forms travel, the conveyors providing a means by which the pretzel forms are submerged for a predetermined period in a treatment solution and one phase of the invention forming the subject of this application has to do with the means by which the space between the upper and lower conveyors may be regulated throughout from a single point thereby simplifying this particular adjustment and rendering the same more accurate while at the same time there is provided a means by M which the pretzel forms are subjected to uniform pressure by the conveyors while the pretzel forms are being conducted through the treatment solution of a liquid.

Another feature of the invention has to do with the novel hoisting mechanism by which the conveyors may be swung about a horizontal axis into an elevated position and raised from the treatment tank so that full access to the treatment tank for cleaning or other purposes is allowed while at the same time full access is allowed to the conveyors. r

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part '5 of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like partsthroughout the same,

Figure l is a fragmentary side elevation of the machine, parts being broken away to illustrate the driving mechanism for the several conveyors,

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the machine, the supporting means therefor being broken away,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the machine, the hood being removed and parts, such for example, as the pretzel conveying means being broken away,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a woven wire beltconveyor and the driving means therefor,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary "transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3,.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective of the outlet end portion of the apparatus, the view illustrating the means by which the several conveyors are mounted and the woven wire belt conveyor supporting means,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevation disclosing the outlet end portion of a material conducting conveyor, parts being shown in section,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a slight modification of the invention,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of the .mechanism shown in Figure 8, a portion of such mechanism being shown in transverse section,

Figure 10 is a detail longitudinal sectional view taken on line Ill-i0 of Figure 8,

Figure 11 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line ll--i I of Figure 9,

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective illustrating a transfer member embodied in the form of invention shown in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11,

Figure 13 is a fragmentary group perspective illustrating the means by which an oven feeding conveyor is mounted.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown several preferred embodiments of the invention, the numeral il denotes a frame formed of a suitable material such for example, as angle iron and having a top supporting a tank 32. As usual, the tank 32 isadapted for the reception of a liquid solution through which pretzel forms or other food forms are directed as a preliminary to feeding the same to a baking oven as will be described. It is customary to provide suitable means by which a required liquid level is maintained in the tank 32, an example of such means being shown in my prior patent herein referred to.

It is also customary to maintain the liquid solution in the tank at a predetermined elevated temperature by any suitable means forming no special part of this invention and thus, no special illustration thereof will be found herein.

It is clearly shown in Figures 3 and 5 that the top horizontally disposed member of the frame is provided at a point adjacent the outlet-end of the cooker and on opposite sides thereof with aligned brackets having the upper portions thereof provided with horizontally disposed aligned bearings 31.

By reference to Figure 3 it will be seen that the terminal portions of the sides of a conveyor frame 39 are horizontally hinged or pivoted to the inner portions of the bearings 31 so that the conveyor frame 35 and an associated conveyor may be positioned in the tank as shown in full lines in Figure 1 or raised to the dotted line position also shown in this figure. In other words, the sides of the frame 35 are provided with transverse aligned openings receiving the inner portions of the bearings 31 so that the conveyor frame 59' is horizontally hinged to the brackets 35. By special reference to Figure 5 it will be observed that the bearings 31 are bored longitudinally forthe reception of a main drive shaft 4| to which there is secured a motion transmitting element such as a drive wheel 43. This figure also shows that a drive chain is trained about the sprocket wheel 43 and, of course, has connection'with a suitable source of power forml no part of this invention.

It is further shown in Figure 5 that the drive shaft or member II has mounted thereon a pair of sprocket wheels 4'| and these sprocket wheels are welded or otherwise secured to the ends of a guide roller 45 also mounted upon the drive shaft 4|.

The sprocket wheels 41 are shown in Figure, 5 to have driving connection with sprocket chains 5|; The sprocket chains 5| are located at opposite edges of a conveyor body 53, which conveyor body is in the form of a longitudinally and transversely flexible woven wire body composed of a series of' transversely extending more or less hel ical interlocking lengths of wire.

The conveyor body 55 is secured flexibly an yet securely to the side chains 5| through the medium of a plurality of spaced attaching stems l5.

In this connection attention is invited to Figure 4, in which it is illustrated that the chains'5lare provided at uniformly spaced points thereof and on the inner links thereof with inwardly directed apertured ears to which the looped outer terminal portions of the stems 55 are loosely swivelled. Each ear is shown to be provided with two apertures through which the loops of the stems are selectively extended, allowing the stems 55 to be secured to the ears at the most advantageous points for the even and smooth mountingof the conveyor body. This threading of the stems 55 through the aligned convolutions of the transversely extending helically wound wires of the conveyor body 53 produces a positive driving conbetween the conveyor body and the oppositely located drive chains therefor.

It has been found in actual practice that the particular connection between the conveyor body and the side chains thereof allows the conveyor to make the requi-redsharp return bend at the outlet end of the cooker so 'that the smooth discharge of pretzel fornis from the cooker is allowed and this arrangement also provides a simple and expeditious connection between the conveyor body and the side chains.

As shown in Figure 4 an important part of the invention resides in the fact that the conveyor body 53 is formed of alternating sections of right and left hand weave with the meeting ends of the sections having overlapped convolutions through which connecting wires 56 are threaded. The ends of these wires may be joined tothe links of the side chains as are the attach- 1 ing stems 55.

As shown in Figure 3, the receiving end portion of the conveyor body 55 is trained about a guide roller llwhilethe sprocket chains 5| of the conveyor body 55 are'trained about sprocket wheels 1 5| secured in any suitable manner, as by welding, to the ends of the roller 55. The roller 59 and the sprocket wheels 5| of which there are two, are keyed or otherwise secured to a shaft 53 the latter being extended through the sides of the 2 conveyor frame 35 and provided at one end,por-' tion with a sprocket wheel 55.

In carrying out the invention, the shaft 85 has connection with the main drive shaft I through the intervention of an endless chain 55 and 2| sprocket wheels 56 and 51. In this manner, the

conveyor is driven from opposite end portions thereof.

Itis showninl 'lguresl,2and3,thatthelower flight of the conveyor body 53 is trained over a 3| guide roller ll so that the conveyor body is held above and is spaced from contact with the bottom of the horizontally extending inlet portion of the tank 52.

The ends of the roller II are secured by welding or other suitable means to sprocket wheels It over which the sprocket chains II are trained. Boththeroller l'l andthesprocketwheels II are mounted upon ashaft'l'l, uponons terminal -ofwhichthereisanidlersprocketll. Overthe-it idler II, the lower flight of-the endless chain 55 istrainedsoastopre'ventthesamefromdragging along the bottom of the tank.

InFlgures2and4itisillustratedthattheout-- letendporticnoftheconveyorbodyI8isex-45 tended beycndand downward from the guide rollerlland is trained about a small diameter transverselyextending cylindrical bar II. he terminalportionsofthebarll aree'xtended throughandarexigldlysecuredtotheouterpon tions of sectional arms 55.

With-particular reference to Figure 4 it will beseenthattheterminalportions ofthe trans-. verseLv extending bar II are reduced to define shoulders against which the inner ends of collars 51 bear. The collars 51 are formed between the ends-thereof with external annular ribs positioned between the longitudinally extending links of the chains 5| so as to constitute guides'holding these chains against lateral movement.

The collars 51 are confined closely between washers II and the shoulder portions of the bar II, the washers being confined between the outer ends of the collars and the inner surfaces of the arms 85. It will be apparent that the fastening devices 93 secured to the terminal portions of, the bar 5| form a simple means by which the washers 5| and the collars I! are secured rigid- The rollers of the chains 5| ride about the ribs of the collars I! with the links of the chains spaced from contact with the peripheries of the collars so that excessive wear of these parts is avoided. Incidentally, the collars 51 and the washers 9| are preferably of a tool steel hardened to resist wear.

The employment of the small diameter collars 81, as shown, is instrumental in providing for a sharp and yet easy return bend of the conveyor at the discharge terminal of the conveyor.

Referring now to Figuiges 1, 3 and 4, attention is invited to the fact that the arms 85 of the outlet portions of the main conveyor are horizontally hinged or are swivelled to the bearings 31 immediately outward'of the sides of the frame 39 and are adjustable about the axis of the shaft II. By particular reference to Figure 1 it will be seen that the arms 85 are engaged at the lower edges thereof by set screws 55 threaded through the top of the frame and having lock nuts so as to hold the same in place.

It is believed to be clear that the purpose of the set screws 95 is to maintain the outlet portion of the main conveyor at the desired angle for feeding pretzel forms or the like to the oven,,.

not shown. The arms 85 are made up of overlapping sections adjustably connected, providing a simple means by which the arms may be extended with the aid of set screws 98, the set screws being extended through ears carried by the outer sections of the arms and engaging ears formed at the ends of the inner sections. This simple arrangement provides a means by which the required tension may be maintained on the conveyor body 53. Attention is invited to Figures 2 and 7 in which it is shown that the conveyor body 53 has the lower flight thereof trained over a pair of guide rollers I00 located below and at opposite sides of the guide roller 49. The ends of the rollers I00 have sprocket wheels engaged with the adjacent portions of the lower flights of the conveyor chains 5I so as to hold such lower flights of the chains in constant engagement with the sprocket wheels 41. In this fashion, the conveyor body 53 is drawn tightly about the cross bar BI to avoid the possibility of slack at this point. That is to say, that part of the endless belt forming the discharge portion of the conveyor is tensioned independently of the remaining part of the conveyor. This is due to the drive of the conveyor through the upper and lower flights thereof and to the presence of the longitudinally adjustable arms 85. Further, the rollers I00 and the associated sprocket wheels serve to support the lower flight of the conveyor above and in spaced relation to the bottom of the tank.

It is clearly shown in Figure 2 that a secondversely extending channel bars IIII having' the flanges thereof presented outward. The channel bars are secured at the end portions thereof to sprocket chains I03. The sprocket chains I03 are in turn, trained about sprocket wheels I05 keyed or otherwise seouredto transversely ex tending shafts I01.

It is illustrated in Figure 3 that the shafts I01 carry sprocket wheels I09 engaged by the drive chain so that the upper conveyor is driven from opposite ends thereof. Movement of the upper conveyor in the proper direction is brought about by engaging the under sides of the sprocket wheels I03 with the upper flights of the chain 65. The frame ofthe upper conveyor is provided at a point between the ends thereof with a transversely extending shaft III having one end portion thereof provided with an idler sprocket wheel The upper conveyor is adjustable vertically with respect to the. lower conveyor. In explanation of this, attention is invited to Figures 1,2

jacent the corners of the frame with ears II I having laterally projecting pins II9 located in the slotted terminal portions of cranks I2I.. By reference to Figure 6 it will be seen that the cranks I2I are pinned or otherwise rigidly secured to transversely extending crank shafts I23. Such crank shafts I23 are rotatably carried by brackets I25 secured to the side members of the frame 39. I

Clearly, rocking of the shafts I23 will bring 15 about the actuation of the cranks I2I thereof and this, in turn, brings about the raising or lowering of the upper frame depending of course, upon the direction in which the shafts are turned.

Simultaneous and coextensive rocking of the shafts I23 is brought about through the turning of a feed nut I3I shown in Figures 1 and 2 to be rotatably attached to one end of the super frame and threaded on a link I35. The outer end of the link I35 is pivoted to a crank arm I3'I of one of-25 the shafts I23 and the inner end of the link is pivoted to a motion transmitting lever Ill mounted on the shaft III. The motion transmitting lever MI is shown to have connection with a longitudinally movable link I43 connected 0 at the outer end thereof to a crank I45 of the second crank shaft I23. Thus, turning of the feed nut I3I will move the link I35 endwise to rock the shafts I23 simultaneously and co-extensively so that the upper conveyor is adjusted 35 uniformly throughout with respect to the lower conveyor. I I

The adjustability of the upper conveyor with respect to the lower conveyor provides a means by which the space between such conveyors may 40 I be regulated for maintaining the desired pressure on the pretzels orthe like.

By way of a brief review of theadjustability of the upper conveyor with respect to the lower conveyor, it is pointed out that such conveyors 45 have frames, and that the lower frame 39 carries brackets I25 having operative relation with the motion transmitting. elements or 'ears II'I through the intervention of the cross shaft I23 which forms a part of an adjusting mechanism. The adjusting mechanism for the upper conveyor thus acts on both ends of the upper conveyor for imparting predetermined simultaneous propor-' tional adjustment to the end portion of the upper conveyor with respect to the adjacent portions of the lower conveyor, so as to maintain the 'required pressure on the food forms being carried by the lower'conveyor.

In this connection, it is noted that the pressure relation between the pretzel forms and the opposed flights of the upper and lower conveyors serves a dual purpose; first, for the positive sub mersion 'of. the pretzel forms while being passed through the treatment solution and second, for the establishment of definite traction between the pretzel forms and the upper flight of the lower conveyor to the end that the pretzel forms areprevented from partaking of retrograde move-- ment upon reaching the ascending portion of the lower conveyor. a hood IGI located above the upper' conveyor serves to collect the steam generated incidentto the heating of the liquid solution in the .tank. The. outlet end portion'of the hood is inclined downward in the, direction of the ascending porsteam into intimate contact with the conveyor and associated parts so as to dissolve accumulated matter thereon and thus render the cooker selfcleansing to a high degree. At this point, attention might be invited to Figure 2 in which it is shown that the tank 32 extends below the roller 49 and associated parts, such as the adjacent rollers I88, so as to receive matter dropped from these parts.

In the opening paragraphs of this specification it was pointed out that the conveyors may be raised with the aid of a hoisting mechanism and in this connection, attention is directed to Figures 1 and 3 in which it is shown that the hoisting mechanism embodies a pair of links I5I horizontally hinged at the upper portions thereof to the otherwise free end of the frame 89. The lower ends of the links I5I have connection with a transversely extending shaft I53 upon which there are mounted radially beveled rollers I55. These rollers I55 are confined between the side flanges of channeled guides I51 and the lower portions of these guides are curved outward and upward so as to define stop elements by which the lower portions of the links I5I are held against outward'swinging movement.

The cross shaft I53 has connection at one end with one or more hoisting cables I58, the upper portions of which are trained about wheels I59.

' It is shown in Figur'e 3 that a hand operated crank IGI has connection with the wheels I59 and provides a means by which the cables I58 may be wound upon the wheels to bring about upward movement of the links I5I so as to raise the con veyors to the dotted line positions suggested in Figure 1. The parts I58, I59 and I8I constitute a hoisting mechanism. After the conveyors have been raised to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1, a prop or other means may be employed to hold the parts in this position to aflord full and unobstructed access to the tank for cleaning or other purposes.

From an inspection of Figures 1, 2, 3, and 6, it will be seen that the mechanism herein shown, embodies an endless conveyor of flexible material mounted upon separate frames 89 and 85,

dividing the endless conveyor into sections. These associated parts, while the frame 85 may be.

movedngbout the said common axis by the set screws ,85 or the equivalent thereof, from which it will seen that the several sections of the conveyor are movable individually and independently'ahout a common axis.

The shafts or cross members 59 and 8| at the extremities of the conveyor constitute supportsfor the endless conveyor belt and cause the belt to make the required bends.

In the form of invention shown in Figures 8 to 13 inclusive, the frame 82 of the apparatus is provided with aligned brackets Mom-responding 5 to the brackets '85 and having bearings 88 through which a driving shaft 488 is extended. The drive shaft 4881s provided with a" plurality of spaced parallel sprocket wheels 89 about which are trained the spaced parallel conveyor chains I8, the conveyor chains I8 being arranged rather close together to form a bed or conveyor upon which the pretzels are mounted for passag through the liquid treatment solution.

A discharge conveyor is arranged at the out- 15 let end of the apparatus as shown in Figures 8 and 9, and embodies a pair of spaced parallel side arms I 2 having sectional bearings I8 secured about the bearings 88 with the aid of fastening devices I8. This connection of the arms I2 with the bearings-488 allows the arms to be swung about the axis of the shaft 488 to adapt the discharge conveyor to a salting mechanism or to the movable hearth of an oven.

As shown in Figure 9 to lower edges of the arms I2 are engaged by set screws 22 carried by the frame of the machine and forming a means by which the outlet conveyor may be adjusted. The side arms 4I2 embody overlapped sections adjustably connected by fastening devices 28 pro- 30 viding a means by which the effective length of the conveyor may be varied so as to maintain the desired or required tension'on the endless woven wire belt 482. v I, As shown in Figure8, the edges of the woven wire belt or conveyor body 482 are connected to the driving chains 84 through the aid of steel wire attaching stems 88, the outer portions of which are looped through the inwardly directed apertured ears secured to spaced links of the 40 roller chains 34 so that a positive driving connection is established between the driving chains 43 and the associated conveyor belt. The outer portions of the arms I2 have connection with a small diameter transversely extending bar 42, 45 the end portions of which carry hardened tool steel collars 4 corresponding to the collars 81 and providing a means by which the chains may turn sharply at' the discharge end of the conveyor.

The sprocket cham 84 are also trained about sprocket wheels 52 secured to a shaft 454. The shaft 5 is shown in Figure 8 to extend through the bosses 58 carried by the inner portions of the arms I2 and this shaft is provided with spur gears 462 having operative connection with the gears 64 through the intervention of spur gears 88 so that the turning of the shaft upon which the gears 84 are mounted will.result' in corresponding rotation of the shaft 45. It is shown in Fig. 10 that the shaft 45 has the receiving end portion of the conveyor 82 trained about the same.

The angle bar 482 shown'in Figures 8 and 12 has one side thereof extended vertically and provided with a plurality of longitudinally curved fingers 65 48 extending between the conveyor chains I8 and providing a means by which the pretzel forms are positively detached from the conveyor chains at the end of travel thereon. It is clearly shown in Figure 12 that thepick-up fingers are secured between the ends thereof to the upper edges of the angle bar 82 and provide a convenient and reliable means by which the pretzel forms are conducted from the conveyorchains I8 to the conveyor belt 82 and thenlower horizontal 5 flange of the angle bar is formed with a series of openings 486 for the passage of salt and other ures 8 to 13 inclusive, contemplates a pair of ooa at operating conveyors arranged end-to-end, with one of the conveyors embodying a plurality of spaced parallel chains 0 in feeding relation to the transfer mechanism '482, which transfer mechanism embodies a plurality of spaced fingers 484, extending between the chains to facilitate the movement of the food forms onto the woven wire belt 432.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus of the character specified, a woven 'wire belt having a plurality of interlocked convolutions, stems threaded through said convolutions, and driving chains having laterally projecting ears, said stems having universal pivotal connection with said ears whereby the drive of the belt is through the ears of the chains and through the stems.

4. In a structure of the character specified, a

bar, a conveyor belt trained about the bar, collars on the bar and having annular ribs, roller chains having-transverse rollers engaging said-ribs and having links spaced from said collars by the ribs, and means connecting the chains and the belt.

5. In a structure of the ,class described, a frame, brackets carried by the frame and having bearings, a conveyor frame horizontally hinged to said bearings, arms horizontally hinged to said bearings and extending beyond said conveyor frame, a cross bar secured to the outer portions of said arms, a shaft extending through said bearings, a guide roller secured to said shaft and located between the bearings, and a conveyor belt trained about said guide roller and said cross bar. 6. In-a structure of the class described, upper and lower conveyors having fram brackets carried by the frame of the lower conveyor, crank shafts carried by said brackets and having radial cranks, pins carried by the frame of the upper conveyor and engaged by said cranks, and means to turn said crank shaft simultaneously and coextensively.

'1. In a structure of the class described, upper and lower conveyors having frames, brackets carried by the frame of the lower conveyor, crank shafts carried by said brackets and having cranks,

, pins carried by the frame of the upper conveyor and engaged by said cranks, and means to turn said crank shaft simultaneous and coextensively and embodying a pair of cooperating links and a feed screw mounted on one of the links.

8. In an apparatus of the character specified, a tank, a conveyor horizontally hinged above-the tank and embodying a plurality of transversely extending rolls, said tank being extended bei rollers, a hoisting mechanismconnected to said transverse shaft, and a guiding means associated with said rollers and having stops limiting outward movement of said rollers.

10. In a mechanism of the character specified, a pair of cooperating conveyors, arranged end to end, one of said conveyors embodying a plurality of spaced parallel chains, and a transfer mechanism between the conveyors and embodying a plurality of spaced fingers extending between the chains, said transfer mechanism embodying an angle bar having horizontal portions .provided with openings for the descentof material.

11. In a mechanism of the character specified, a pair of cooperating conveyors arranged end to end,.one of said conveyors embodying a plurality of spaced parallel chains, and a transfer mecha nism between the conveyors and embodying a plurality of spaced fingers extending between the chains, said transfer mechanism embodying an angle bar having horizontal portions provided with openings for the descent of material, and means establishing a driving connection between the first and second named conveyors.

12. In a mechanism of the class described, a continuous conveyor having upper and lower flights and a drive chain also having upper and lower flights,a driving roller ,between the ends of the conveyor and between the upper and lower flights thereof and provided with a sprocket wheel meshing with the upper flight of said chain, and means holding the lower flight of the chain in mesh with said sprocket wheel whereby i endless conveyor having upper and lower flights and a drive chain also having upper and lower 45 flights, a drive roller between the flights of the conveyor and having -a sprocket engaged with the upper flight of the chain, a tensioning device for tightening that portion of the conveyor. between one end thereof and said sprocket, and means 50 causing positive engagement between said sprocket and the lower flight of the chain to drive the chain and the conveyor through the lower flight thereof.

14. In a' mechanism for manufacturing food 55 stuffs, a woven wire endless belt having upper and lower flights and connecting bends, said belt comprising overlapping convolutions, stems threaded through said convolutions to join .the

same and having eyes, and drive chains having 60 I selectively swivelled so that the belt may move easily through said bends. a

16. In amac I e for manufacturing food stuffs, 75

a frame, brackets carried by the frame and having bearings, a conveyor frame hingedto said bearings, arms hinged to said bearings and extending beyond said conveyor frame, separate supports carried by said arms and by said conveyor frame,

, and a single belt trained about said supports.

1.7. In a machine for manufacturing food stufls, a frame, brackets carried by the frame and having bearings, a conveyor frame hinged to said bearings, arms hinged to said bearings and extending beyond said conveyor frame, separate supports carried by said arms and by said conveyor frame, a single belt trained about said supports, and adjusting devices for varying the height of said arms and the portion of the conveyor belt immediately adjacent thereto. 1

18. In amachine for manufacturing food stuffs, a frame, brackets carried by the frame and having bearings, a conveyor frame hinged to said bearings, arms hinged to said bearings and extending beyond said conveyor frame, separate supports carried by said arms and by said conveyor frame, and a single belt trained about said supports, said arms being longitudinally exten- 20. In a machine for manufacturing food stuffs,

an endless conveyor of flexible material, separate frames supporting the endless conveyor and dividing the endless conveyor into meeting sections, said sections being arranged end-to-end, a mounting supporting the separate frames for movement about a common axis, and means for moving one section of the conveyor about said common axis independently of the other section of the conveyor.

21. In astructure for manufacturing food stuffs, upper and lower associated conveyors having frames, brackets carried by the frame of one of the conveyors, and motion transmitting elements carried by the end portions of the other conveyor and having operative relation to the said brackets, and an adjusting mechanism associated with said brackets and said motion transmitting elements and having means for imparting predeterg mined simultaneous proportional adjustment to the end portions of one conveyor with respect to the adjacent portions of the other conveyor.

22. In a structure for manufacturing food stuffs, upper and lower associated conveyors having frames, motion transmitting elements located at the end portions of one of the conveyors, and an adjusting mechanism associated with said motion transmitting elements and having means for imparting predetermined proportional simultaneous adjustment to the end portions of one conveyor with respect tothe adjacent portions of the other conveyor. I

23. In a machine for manufacturing food stuffs, a cross bar, an endless conveyor belt trained I about said bar, collars fixed on said bar and having continuous and unbroken ribs between and spaced from the ends of the collars, and roller chains having transverse rollers engaging said ribs and having links spaced from said collars 25 by the ribs.

24. In a machine for manufacturing food stuffs,

a bar, a conveyor belt trained about the bar, collars rigi ly secured on the bar and having peripheral unbroken ribs, and roller chains having transverse rollers progressively riding about said ribs and having links spaced from the collars y the ribs.

25. In a mechanism for handling food stuffs, an endless conveyor having upper and lower flights and a discharge portion provided with a discharge terminal, said conveyor also embodying a drive chain having upper and lower flights, a drive member having a sprocket engaged with the upper flight of the chain adjacent to said 40 discharge p r on of the conveyor and at a point removed from the discharge terminal of such discharge portion, and a tensioning device for tightening those portions of the upper and lower flights of the conveyor located between said discharge as terminal and said sprocket independently of the; remaining portion of the conveyor.

JOSEPH D. FERRY. 

